Peak Design Everyday Backpack Review

I can’t imagine that there has ever been a time when photographers had more camera bag options than we do today. There are more manufacturers, styles and price points than one can count. From generic knockoffs to designer leather, there is a bag out there to carry your camera, lenses and accessories.

But what if you want to carry your camera and some other stuff you need through the day? Maybe you’re a traveler and you want to have a water bottle, a raincoat and some ibuprofen as you hike through Paris? Or what if you are a student who needs a computer, a few books and lunch for a day at school? Or what if you just want to carry your everyday things with you as well as your camera? Well, then your options are a little more limited.

Maybe you’re a traveler and you want to have a water bottle, a raincoat and some ibuprofen as you hike through Paris?

Pulling out dividers in a photo backpack to fit in books, wrapping the camera in a towel and stuffing it in a daypack, or strapping a small camera bag to your hiking pack are all DIY solutions that folks have tried and found unsatisfying. The few options on the market tended to be bulky, difficult to access and frequently under-delivered as far as understanding what non-photo gear someone would want to carry.

In 2015, Peak Design launched its Everyday Messenger on Kickstarter with the goal of creating a bag that would both carry camera gear and the everyday stuff that someone might need for a day of work, school, travel or just living life. Proving that there was a real need for a bag like this, the company hit its funding goal in a single day and would eventually be funded to the tune of $4.8 million from over 17,000 backers.

This led Peak Design to start a second Kickstarter in 2016 to fund a backpack design (along with a tote and sling) for those of us who understand that two straps carry weight better than one. Once again, the new designs were funded successfully and the Everyday Backpack in 20L and 30L sizes was released to the public.

In Use

Many times manufacturers make claims about the design of their products that feel overstated when you are actually using them. I have to say that, for the most part, the design of the Everyday Backpack works just as it was intended to. I took the 20L on a trip to Europe recently and beat the heck out of it – crammed it under airplane seats, stuffed it with groceries, soaked it in epic rainstorms. All the while, I was accessing my gear hundreds of times to take photos at every opportunity. I came away pretty impressed.

Photo courtesy Peak Design

Unlike a majority of camera bags on the market, the Everyday Backpack doesn’t use a system of individual padded dividers to create compartments for your gear. Instead, it uses what Peak Design calls 'FlexFold' dividers. This is a system of full-width internal shelves that can be positioned in the bag. The shelves have the ability to fold out of the way to create larger spaces, they also have the ability to fold up and create subdivided spaces. The design is a little difficult to explain in words or photos and your best bet may to just watch this video.

I was surprised at how well these worked generally. I was able to shift from a mirrorless layout to an overnight bag for an unexpected trip and then back again in moments. There are limits, and if you have specific needs you’ll be re-velcroing the shelves as well as folding/unfolding them, but it’s really a clever design overall.

The three main drawbacks I noticed were that the folding subsections could 'unfold' if something heavy (such as a lens) was in an adjacent subsection. In addition, since the shelves and subsections are not 'sealed' in the way that a padded-divider backpack is, small items like lens caps tend to wander around the bag easily. Finally, this design is not one that will allow you to use every inch of the bag for gear in the way a traditional camera backpack would. The idea is to have your camera get in one part of the bag and other everyday items in another.

The Everyday Backpack has four access points. The top section uses a flap cover that is secured with Peak’s excellent MagLatch closure that allows easy blind one-handed operation. The MagLatch has multiple attachment points allowing the upper section to expand to carry bulky loads or tighten up to make the pack as small as possible.

Then there is a top access computer/tablet/flat-stuff section that sits against your back. The other two access points, the ones you will use most often to access your camera, are dual full-length zipper openings on either side of the bag. The idea is that you slip one shoulder strap off and swing the bag around in front of you horizontally to access your gear.

A very full 30L Everyday Backpack

Overall, access is very well done. I was impressed how the fullness of any one area of the bag doesn’t affect accessing of any other area. The top section can be stuffed with lunch and extra layers of clothing and you can still use the side access to grab your camera or change lenses. This is one of the most crucial aspects in making a successful 'everyday' design and it is where many bags fail. One thing to note, however, is that the drawback to this design is that one cannot lay the bag on the ground and flip it open to access every piece of equipment at once. If that is how you tend to work out of your backpacks, the Everyday Backpack may not be for you.

There are a lot of neat design aspects to the Everyday Backpack and it would make a long article much longer to list them all. So in no particular order, here are a few of my favorites. The weatherproof fabric and zippers held up to some truly torrential rainstorms. Built in external lashing straps allow for a surprising amount of useful external carry. I strapped everything from groceries to a jacket to sandy shoes to the outside of the pack. The external side pockets both hide the waistbelt and external lash straps and can hold a water bottle or tripod.

There are a ton of small pockets in the bag for batteries, pens, cords, passports and whatnot. This not only gives you a place for all the little things, but it keeps them from bouncing around the bag or getting crammed together in the bottom. Every strap and handle is done in 'seatbelt' material that is soft and strong.

Finally, and particularly important for some folks, there is little about this pack that looks like a camera bag. You may look like a tourist or a student with your daypack on, but nobody is going to peg you as walking around with thousands of dollars in camera gear on your back. At least not until you stop to take their picture.

What didn’t I like? As with any bag, even really good ones, I had a few nitpicks, but I stress that they were all pretty minor. The most significant one was that I thought the shoulder straps could have been better padded. While they are ergonomically curved and have a clever axial rotating attachment system, users may not be impressed if they are used to technical outdoor style pack straps.

While there is a waist belt, it isn’t padded and exists more for stability than for taking weight off of your shoulders.

That said, the straps weren’t uncomfortable, even on long days (and did seem to 'break in' after some use). I just feel like a bit more function instead of form could have served better in this area, especially for heavy loads and the 30L size. Likewise, while there is a waist belt, it isn’t padded and exists more for stability than for taking weight off of your shoulders. Good to have, but doesn’t carry much load.

Due to being somewhat narrow, a good thing when moving through crowds, and having a slightly rounded design, the Everyday Backpack doesn’t stand up on its bottom or side particularly well. This isn’t a serious fault, but it is worth remembering that it is likely to flop over when you set it down and that you shouldn’t leave any of the access points open lest things roll out (good advice for any bag, really).

The external side pockets are really useful for both water bottles and things like tripods. However, unless you have long arms, it may be difficult to reach that water bottle while the pack is on. It’s possible, but you end up feeling like a contortionist. Beyond that, anytime you have something in those side pockets, it becomes a lot more difficult to use the side access openings.

I’m a big believer in the idea that how we carry our gear is as important as the gear itself.

Finally, at $260, this is an expensive bag. While the market has expanded enough that there is nothing particularly unusual about a $260 bag these days, it can still be a difficult decision when a bag costs as much as a nice used prime lens. That said, I’m a big believer in the idea that how we carry our gear is as important as the gear itself. If you don’t enjoy using your bag, you won’t bring your camera. For me, this bag is worth the money.

20L vs 30L

The design of the 20L and the 30L backpacks are virtually identical. The 30L is just a bit, you know, bigger. How much bigger? Well, you can see the numbers published above, and you probably know that 30L is 50% larger by volume than 20L. But in the real world, I think I would put it like this…

The 20L is best for:

Mirrorless kits

Small DSLRs with compact zooms or primes

Squishing into a subway car or through a crowded bar

Being a daypack for traveling

Airplane travel as your “personal item”

Smaller framed people

The 30L is best for:

Pro DSLR kits

Fast zooms

Camera + a bunch of other stuff

School bag for textbooks

Being an overnight bag

Airplane travel as your only carry on

Bigger/taller people

These aren’t hard and fast rules, you can configure these bags in a lot of different ways to carry a lot of different things. But if someone was asking me which bag to get to use as an airline 'personal item', I’d have to say the 20L as it is right at (or very slightly over) the size limit for many airlines. If someone was telling me they just HAD to have their full-frame F2.8 zooms with them all day long, I’d point them to the 30L. The 30L is bigger on the back and makes squeezing through crowds tougher than the 20L. But if you thought you were going to grab a few groceries on the way home, you’d probably be happy that you had the 30L.

To be honest, if I had to recommend one, I would suggest the 20L. I believe that the smaller less conspicuous size fits more into the intended 'everyday' design. At 5’5 I’m shorter than average for a guy, and when I’ve got the 30L on there is no mistaking that I’m wearing a backpack. It’s not like the 20L disappears when I have it on, but it is less bulky and obvious and I find it easier to move through life because of its smaller volume.

You can, and perhaps should, chalk my 20L suggestion up to my body type, but it’s an opinion I have seen echoed by other photographers as well. If you can, try to see both packs side by side before you buy. If that’s not possible, there are some good YouTube videos that compare the two sizes.

What’s the bottom line?

It is hard not to come to the conclusion that the Peak Design Everyday Backpack is the best 'carry a camera and some other stuff' pack I have ever used. The flexible storage space, ease of access, non-photo storage options, tough construction and overall form factor come together in a package that is completely usable. It is a solid feeling bag that does what it is designed to do.

Now, nothing on this earth is perfect and the Everyday Backpack is no different. But aside from wishing that the straps were designed differently and acknowledging that the price-point is going to be off-putting for some, most of the rest of my complaints are minor at best. I would happily use this pack across town for the day or across the world for a month. If you are looking for a backpack that you can carry your camera gear along with the rest of your daily life I’m not sure how you would find anything better than the Everyday Backpack.

What we liked:

Clever divider system

Easy to access some of the things without accessing all of the things

Having one area stuffed full doesn’t affect access to other areas.

Well thought out organizational system

External lash options allow more carry options

What we didn’t like:

Expensive

Shoulder straps are not the most padded

Heavy items can cause subdividers to unfold if nothing under them when pack is slung around sideways

May not stand up on its bottom. May not stand up on side.

Small things can slip through the dividers easily and move around the pack

Comments

Now that they offer the bag in all black, and they're on sale, I decided to purchase a 20L Peak backpack and was wondering if not having an enclosed top load section presents a problem for anyone and if so how do you work around it?

Update , spent 4 hours walking around the city using the backpack and I just love this bag .If I had one complaint it would be that it does not stand up on its own when loaded , otherwise for me it is the closet thing to a perfect backpack .👍

Just brought the 20lt in Ash Grey and love it . Extremely well made and thought out , this could be the best back pack I have ever used .I loaded it up with the Olympus em-1 mk11 with the 40-150 Pro attached plus the 7-14 pro , 12-40 Pro , 60mm macro plus filters etc and a tripod in the side pocket and it took all the gear with no problems although it was now a heavy bag lol.Will give it a workout over the weekend but probably with not all that gear , awesome bag .

I wanted the 30L as a replacement for my MiniTrekker, but I'm also 5'5" and the 20L is just the right size (Peak's website has several images showing the bags on people of different sizes).

I used the bag as my only luggage on a weekend trip, carrying an X-E2 and two lenses, along with an iPad and clothing etc. I had a couple of friends express interest in the bag, not as a camera bag, but as a daily backpack.

I have both and the Guru is a much bigger bag than the 20L.The EDB trumps the Guru on access and the Guru is better for carrying more and is much more comfortable with it's aluminium frame and padded waist strap. In fact the Guru is probably the most comfortable backpack i've used.

That said the Peak Design EDB is the one I use most often, it's just a great bag for everyday use and holds things like a tablet/laptop better than the Guru plus you don't have to take it off your back/place the bag down to swap lenses.

IMO, the CLiK Elite is the most thought out backpack I've ever used. I bought one a few years ago and it is now the only carry on bag I travel with. This Peak Design bag may well be as good or even better, but the Clik Elite does it for me. It also happens to be very comfortable for me even with my very bad back. It also has a compartment for a water bag with a tube in the event I get thirsty and that compartment can be used for my MacBook Air as well, although that affects the formed back contour and reduces the comfort somewhat.

i can confirm this bag doesn't stand up very well and is very prone to be top heavy and flip over, especially if you put a lot of your items on top for faster access (by not needing to open the side all the way)

There is not a single picture of the Laptop compartment. Would like to know how big it is. I am searching for a new bag but I am not sure how practical this design is - as an everyday backpack I would use 70% of the bag for stuff and and on the bottom I would put my D7200+Sigma 18-35. So every time I want to get to my camera I have to open the whole side of the backpack and all the stuff in the top compartment might fall out.

The 30L have a big separate laptop compartment with access for the top zipper. This camera bag is ideal for camera equipment in the bottom, with access from both sides, and free space for groceries or workout clothes on top, with access form both sides or from the top. This feature differs from most other dedicated camera bags.

I have the 20L version and it comfortably holds a 15" Macbook Pro, 10.5" iPad Pro with leather sleeve, and a small notepad + other items in the 3rd shallow compartment which cleverly expands into the backpack's main compartment through the wall that divides the two (its the same material as the stretchy side pockets). This is all accessible only from the top zipper and is separate from the main compartment.

The way it actually works is both good and bad. Nothing should fall out if the side will be facing up like a shoulder bag, which will be the case if you access the side compartments without taking off the bag using the instant-slack swing from back to front method Peak demonstrates in their videos. The bag comes around to the front with the side facing up. That is good, it works very well and safely. After accessing and closing the bag, you swing the bag around back and pull the shoulder strap tight again.

What is bad is it is really not safe to open either side compartment if the bag is vertical. In that case, anything in the center compartment can fall out. This is particularly risky for gear if the bag is off the ground. You must only open a side when that side is facing up.

That doesn't dampen my enthusiasm for the EB very much, though. Overall I really love this bag. Backpack comfort with the instant accessibility of a shoulder bag.

Thanks for your replies. I might give it a shot. At the moment I am using a Manfrotto Tri Pack (I think Large). It's a good bag but the compartment for the everyday stuff is pretty small and there is no place I could put a water bottle. I tried to mount a bottle with a carabiner on the outside, but its pretty annoying to a have a swinging bottle on your back.

I agree with the second reviewer who wrote that the 20L laptop pocket is tight. I think it depends on your laptop. I have an older thicker 15" and if my 20L is packed full it really presses against the laptop, making it hard to get it out. I bet a 13" or a current model, slimmer 15" it would fit more easily.

This is explained by a Peak Design video (can't remember which one) that showed the laptop compartment as a gusseted pocket that takes up little space unless a laptop is actually in it. This is presented as a "feature" but in reality it means that when a laptop enters a full bag, the laptop will be competing with main compartment contents for space.

Big fan of PD's bags. I have the 20L and the sling and love both. I use the backpack when traveling to other cities or carrying more than two bodies and it's been great. It's definitely a good chunk of money but well worth it for something that will probably outlast any digital camera in shooting with.

I really wanted this pack to be my new photo pack. I bought both sizes to try right when they came out this Christmas. I currently use a lowepro photosport aw 200 that I absolutely love to cary a d750 and two f2.8 zooms plus hiking gear. I hoped to use the everyday backpack for city and airline travel with a third f2.8 zoom particularly the 70-200 mounted. After completely unpacking my normal kit from my photosport I could not successfully fit it all in either the 20 or 30 L pack. Packing the 70-200 mounted was possible but awkward. The shelves didn't seem to pack well and nothing would fit if I loaded up the side pannels with small items. I watched all the videos and tried it several times over two weeks. I liked the style of the pack and the quality is excellent. In the end I sent them both back and love my photosport even more. I can cary all 3 zooms in a pinch using the case they came in inside the hiking compartment and it easily fits under an airline seat.

One thing I'm liking about my Peak Design bag in general is the use of the entire Peak Design ecosystem. I had their lens mount changer and a strap before i got the bag, and being able to swap accessories on and off the bag is an added bonus. The quick release system is light but feels very secure. like many of you, I have spent SO MUCH MONEY ON BAGS. I've spent more money on bags than my wife. The Peak bags aren't perfect, but I'm the most satisfied I've ever been with a bag purchase, and I'm HOPING this will be the last one i buy. For a while.

The only thing keeping me away from Peak Design backpacks is their prices. Its just ridiculous. I am pushing the trigger to buy the Vanguard Alta Rise 45. For $99 it holds more stuff & Quality seems to be top notch.

I returned the 20L bag, because of the shoulder straps. They feel real sturdy, but the material is unnecessarily hard and rough, and really digs into one's underarms. Thankfully, the sternum strap can be used to pull the shoulder straps together and away from the underarms. However, it's not always practical to have the sternum strap on at all times. A simple modification to the shoulder straps material would make the bag nearly perfect.

Peak Designs may make good bags, but I'm tired of the "boutique company" label being used as an excuse for high prices for heavy bags made from common materials. For a little more money, Zpacks (a "boutique backpack company") sells ultralight packs featuring carbon fiber and Dyneema Composite Fabric - and they can actually carry a load well. Other pack makers sell products at the same price points as Peak Designs, at lower weights, with much better load carrying capabilities.

Once the zipper loops are secured, you can't slide them unless you know how to unsecure them. Unless you know exactly how to do it, it would be difficult to do without being noticed. Heck, even if you did know how to do it, it's not so easy to do without being noticed. I guess the thief could try to cut the locked zipper loop, but these zipper loops seem to be made a tough material, so they wouldn't cut easily. On the ash grey version (the one I have) there's even an additional layer of tan leather sewn onto the zipper loop, making it even harder to cut!

Even if you could unzip the side, the amount of zipping you have to do to get access to the inside to remove something is quite a lot. I just tried it. The zipper is noisy. You'd definitely hear it with that amount of zipper movement.

Yeah but it wasn't clear in the article, I didn't read any part where zips could be latched with button straps to make it secured to theft. Even in the picture it's hard to tell how it works. You guys only pointed that out to me because I made the observation. My bad! @T3, I have a pacsafe bag myself and only trust them to keep my gear secured. They're not the most aesthetically pleasing brand that's why I'm always on the lookout for other options. In general, I just don't trust a simple zipper bag after a theft experience in a crowded subway in Rome.

Ok cool I'm talking to the right person. I agree with your comment about the back support. I very much wantedthis nag to work for me. I tried both 20/30L bags but couldn't get everything in my lowepro photosport 200 v1 to fit. Make me a Photosport that fits a 70-200 mounted and you have the perfect bag.

I have a 20L for my MFT kit. Loaded...its fine...for half-day use, etc. Like it a LOT...but no pack is perfect. I could see where the 30L may not hold up in the comfort dept. if loaded...yes. I would not consider this a solution for my FF kit.FF kit WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY!!!!I have a Clik backpack. Cut off the straps, removed the waist belt. Then I retrofitted Mountain Hardwear straps and waist belt meant for extended serious backpacking. We are talking substantial support and padding.I do not think that there is one "photo backpack" with the kind of metal that mine has and needs for heavy FF Kit with many lenses. Anything else is folly. :-)

My main pack is the Lowepro photosport 200 and it confortobly holds any 2/3 of the holy trinity and a ff camera. The only one that Ive found to hold everything plus a Sigma prime and a flash is my click elite Contrajouer. This bag works great even on hut ski or hiking tours. Pack everything you need for a week in the alps with a full camera kit. The only problem is the dividers are crap and too floppy. The camera bay is deep enough fir a grip but that makes it too sloppy and everything fliats around. Any solution? I'm currently using some lowepro dividers from another vag that help a bit.

I got both, if you like to put your bag on floor before start shooting like me, please make sure the bag is properly re zipped before you depart after shooting from scene, it happened to me a few times my beloved lens and bodies dropped out when I changed site in a hurry ><

Good review. I agree with most points expect I never had an issue with the shoulder straps not being padded. I've had my 20L since late 2016, and have been using it daily as a day backpack to carry my laptop and other work related stuff. I frequently load it pretty full. Perhaps if I had a 30L, the strap thing might be more of an issue because that can be loaded 50% heavier...

I love the way this bag can be configured for very different contents. For a week long photography trip last week I rearranged the entire setup to accommodate my Pentax K-3II and an assortment of 6 fixed focal length lenses (4 Samyangs: 10/2.8, 16/2, 24/1.4 and 135/2; and 2 Pentax: 35/2.8 macro and 77/1.8), next to some limited travel stuff. I could have taken an extra lens. Hiking multiple hours with a tripod (3LT Leo) attached to the side was no problem at all.

Build quality is excellent indeed. I've been using the bag intensively for over half a year and it doesn't shows any signs of wear.

My problem, and its the same for all bag manufacturers, is that in their photos they never have the lens hoods on the lenses in the reverse storage position. In my experience storing the lens hoods like this increase the size of the lens by an appreciable amount, certainly with Canon L zooms, and It would be useful to see how bags cope with this.

10x cheaper yet very functional with 3 main compartmens and many small organiser pockets inside them. Love this bag. My best camera and everyday sling backpack ever. I use neoprene pouches for lenses to add extra protection.

Yes, I am sure that would cause a huge upheaval, just like in Czech where I am now and where the meaning is similar. So I guess you have checked it out quite closely when you noticed the logo. Good bag isn't it? :-P

I don't agree with this. I have one, and yes I fit that "millennial" category but the 20L can hold my D500, 17-55, 11-16 2.8, dji mavic, two batteries for drone, a 9.7 in iPad Pro, camera charger, camera batteries and a bunch more cords and accessories for my drone and camera. Additionally, I can strap my tripod to the bottom of the bag. And even take that on airplanes. In my opinion, they look pretty and are very functional.

I disagree. I have the 30L for my Iceland trip. For those who have been to Iceland you know how extreme the weather is. I use it for glacier hiking with camera gears and mountaineering gear. I use it u see heavy rain. It passes all test. Function wise if you know how to configure, you will be surprised at how flexible this bag is. You need to use it to experience, not by looking at it and pass judgement.

I posted my review in the comments, but questioned whether that top flap was good in heavy weather. Just to confirm: even using the top compartment for sensitive camera gear (to me, the likeliest spot to put a camera you might need to pull out and use while hiking around, etc.), you had no problems even though the flap doesn't seal? Thank you.

I guess you are talking about the maglatch cover? It will not leak in water. But I do not use the top compartment for camera gear. I put mostly food, extra jacket and some loose accessories. The two side covers are the best way to access your camera gear. I also find myself using the side cover most of the time since it is also able to access the top compartment.

I suppose an expensive, do-everything backpack would be nice, but I'd rather spend my camera money on lenses. So, until I come into some serious cash, I'll just make do with my $30 Amazon photo backpack.

iv gotta say iv had more backpack and side bags than id like to say and well the money spent on them we wont go there but i had one of Peak Design Everyday Backpack and Sling for a few months now and i love them better then any Tamrac, Lowepro and Crumpler iv had in the past. spending that extra bit of cash on a bag thats going to last in any weather is worth it. i had walk in hard rain down pours been soaked myself but gear was dry and also carried around the Backpack for about 5 hour and every become hard on my shoulders

Hi @dan_7d, I'm looking to buy a 30l everyday backpack, but I often go outside when it's raining a lot, and I wonder if when the bag is closed at the last lock, the rain will go in the backpack on the top as the flap cover doesn't cover all of it ?

Side issue: This is why lenses get damaged. People carry around "lens cleaning cloths" one of the most horrible inventions of all time. Prone to picking up dust (much of which is silicon-based grit) and swirled around dry (the worst way to clean) the surface of a lens with (relative to the dust picked up by the cloth) fragile glass and coatings.

I keep my cleaning cloths in a separate bag but I also use a dedicated brush for dust or a t-shirt at times :-D. After all my most expensive lens was £260 I think and they don't seem to scratch easily. My 30+ years old canons FDs don't seem to have a scratch on glass too.

Lens cleaning is simple and people can do it right:1. Blow air to dislodge dust first.2. Use a natural-end (not cut) camel-hair brush, no "Lenspen" pads.3. Wet clean using lens tissue and lens cleaner.4. Cleaning should be done with short strokes, not big swirling motions so if any piece of grit is caught, it doesn't drag a full lens scratch.

True, I forgot the blower. But I don't carry it all that much since I use the brush. I also noticed that you may actually introduce some dust particles to your lens or even to your sensor using the blower, if you press it too hard.

I can't speak for the 20L, but I have the 30L. I can't imagine wearing it for 5-6 hours fully loaded. First of all, it's a fairly heavy bag even when it's empty. Loaded up, it would be that much heavier. Secondly, it's a very stiff bag, and the shoulder straps are rather stiff too. The bag is very rigid. It doesn't conform to your body. And finally, while it does have a waist/hip strap, it's basically worthless because the strap is nothing more than an unpadded thin strap of seat-belt material. So all these things considered, I would not recommend it as the ideal bag for carrying 5-6 hours fully loaded. I think it's fine for much shorter periods of time.

I took a trip to Taiwan for a week with the 30L. I avoided carrying it for long periods of time. It's unfortunate, because I really had high hopes for this bag. If Peak Design could design a lighter-weight version that wasn't so stiff and rigid, that would be better for long-carry days. I would say this is a short-carry bag.

It depends on what "fully loaded" means. I used the 30L during a 10km hike in New Zealand. In the bag I had one Sony A6000 with a 16-70mm and a second A6000 with a Sony 70-200mm f4. I also carried a Sirui travel tripod and other stuff. The backpack didn't bother me at all.

Guys thank you very much for your replies. I am looking for a really super comfortable backpack to carry 10 -12 kg gear. It seems this one most probably not very much suitable. Probably F-stop or Clik Elite have answer(s)? My Lowepro Flipside 500 is also suitable for relatively shorter trips.

I got like around 5 camera bags (maybe more). So I don't need this backpack, but I got it. I use the 20l as a go to work backpack, holding my tablet, some food and maybe a camera. It is the best looking professional bag out there and doesn't look like a camera bag (a plus). Build quality and design is good, but some treads seam maybe better. The 20l isn't that bulky, unlike a 30l, which I have a better fitting kata bubblebee and thinktank for. Also the littler grey was better looking in my eyes then the charcoal which I initially wanted.

What this bag camera clam is 15" notebook, but it might fit a 15 macbook, but not most 15.6" notebook. I have a thin one and it won't fit (got it in but it is too tall to zip and took like 1min to shove/shim it in. The 20l is really useless for notebook, but ok for tablet, that compartment is too thin. The zipper compartment is inside the bag which isn't as good as an external zipper compartment.

Because one is made in gargantuan quantities and sold at cost, the other is made my a small boutique company and has plenty of margin for the manufacturer and retailer. Care to guess which one is which :)

But it's also about quality. The Everyday Backpack is by a large margin, the best bag I've ever owned. A 42-inch TV of the same price would probably be the worst HDTV I've ever owned. Another quality example, you could also ask why some people pay thousands more for just a camera body, than I did for my first car ($2000).

Yes maxinimo. That is part of why you have televisions of that size that can cost $5000-$15000. The $260 is probably just a simple 1080p HDTV with a cheap 8-bit panel that may not have great color fidelity or uniformity of brightness, probably no or few backlight zones. The $5000 TV probably supports 10 bits wide gamut HDR with many backlight zones and with a panel with excellent uniformity.

Taking this back to bags, in the past I usually have bought good cheap ($30-90) backpacks and stick padded inserts in them to protect my camera gear. But having bought the Everyday Backpack, I see why it's $260. It can do things that no cheap bag I ever had could do, and it is a lot more comfortable to carry for long periods.

I have the 30L and I'm happy with it, although it's a bit tall to fit easily under an airplane seat. The 20L would have been a better size for my needs.

I love the mag-latch. True it's not lockable, but you would probably hear someon open it or sense the stiff flap being opening.

It's true that small items slip down the sides of the pack between the dividers. It's also less convenient if you carry books or papers, or if you like lots of quickly-accessible pockets. There are plentiful side pockets, but you open two zippers to get to them; one for the outer flap to access the bag interior and one for the pocket cover (as in the photos). A minor inconvenience, though. I mostly use the top pocket inside the laptop sleeve for things I need quickly and frequently, like my phone.

Reliable? Why wouldn't it be "nearly as reliable?" The EDP is built very well. The materials and hardware are top notch. I just think it's overbuilt, making it too heavy. And yes, it's very expensive. I'm going to sell my 30L because it's too heavy. I think Peak Design needs to re-evalulate every piece of material they are using for this bag and find a way to shave off weight. It's way heavier than it needs to be. Your bag should not add a lot of weight to the gear you carry. Ideally, the bag should weigh nothing, but you obviously can't do that. So it should at least weigh as little as possible, and still do the job reliably.

I just bought a PacSafe Camsafe V25. It's a super light bag, more comfortable to wear than the EDBP. Has a lot of great anti-theft features. And it's half the price of the EDBP. I'm going to miss the Maglatch flap of the EDBP and the Flexfold dividers, but weight and comfort are more important for me. I'm using these bags for travel.

I bought the 30L. It's a beautiful bag, and has great functionality, but it's HEAVY. That's the most disappointing thing about this bag. It really needs to go on a diet. Even when it's totally empty, it feels like there's gear in it. I don't think it's just the metal hardware they are using, but also the weight of the fabric itself that makes the bag weigh so much. I spent a week in Taiwan with it (hot, humid), and I can not say that it was enjoyable to wear. I switched to mirrorless gear to lighten my load, but now with the EDP I feel like I put the weight back on. I'm going to sell it.

I got the light grey bag with the tan leather accents. It's a great color, nice look. But that's why I call it a "yuppy bag." Looks fancy, looks quality, but just overbuilt and too heavy for long travel days.

Another gripe: I *hate* the sternum strap. Instead of plastic clasps like every other sternum strap, they use a metal hook that hooks into the tiny space between two sewn layers of fabric on the other shoulder strap. This is super annoying because for one thing, you have to orient the metal hook piece correctly (up side or down side). It's like trying to plug in a USB cable in that there's an up side or a down side. I hate this! I shouldn't have to look! There shouldn't be an up or down orientation to this piece! Just give us a normal plastic click-in thingy at the center of the sternum strap. Also sliding the hook in between the pieces of fabric can be tricky. Sometimes I have to try several times, because the space that you are targeting is literally a millimeter high, if that. It's just an annoying design. Dump it. You might think: "just don't use the sternum strap." Well, there's a big difference in comfort. Using the sternum strap makes the bag a lot more comfortable.

I don't have a problem with the sternum strap, I can put it on without looking. My biggest complaint is that the back doesn't breath at all. It felt so hot to wear and this is when I was in the UK for 3 weeks so not exactly warm weather. The other complaint is the shoulder strap design. Without wearing the sternum strap they flare too wide and therefore sit toward the far ends of your shoulders and not more midline where they should. This causes more pressure on the shoulders and if wearing for hours while walking a city you will definitely feel it. This forced me to always use the sternum strap to pull the shoulder straps into proper position. I'm an athletic male with average shoulders so I can't imagine smaller/skinnier people feeling all that comfortable carrying this for long, especially with even a small load in the bag.

@dquangt - "The other complaint is the shoulder strap design. Without wearing the sternum strap they flare too wide and therefore sit toward the far ends of your shoulders and not more midline where they should."

I totally agree with this. I think this has to do with the metal pivot points that Peak Design uses that allows the shoulder straps to swivel. I think it's these pivot points that allow the straps to flair out, which you then have to use the sternum strap to pull back in. I find that with other backpacks, you can still wear the bag comfortably without the sternum strap, but I don't find that to be the case with the Everyday BP. You really need to use that sternum strap to wear this backpack comfortably.

I thought the same thing, bought a different bag at half price. A Tenba messenger bag. Their slides can be secure, has plenty of pockets and did i say half price? Sure it doesnt look as nice but does the job.

Yes, the PD products are definitely lacking padding inside. Very rigid and "bare" so items either don't fit or when they do, they move around. Also have a systematic issue with the Messenger bag and the Sling: the strap isn't strongly stopped and I have to re-tighten it very often (like, very very often).Last on the Sling: it would need a quick access pocket that can be accessed without turning the bag...

Both the design and comfort of the Peak Design Sling strap could and should be improved. There is a hack discussed in the PD Community Forum that stops the straps from slipping. I used the hack on one end of my PD Sling strap and it solved the problem. However, the hack is both challenging and permanent, unless you are OK with cutting off the thick end of the strap. As for the comfort issue, I'm working on solving that with an add-on strap pad. And I agree that the Sling could use some external pockets. I partially solved that oversight by attaching carabiners to the external PD Capture attachment points. After so many modifications, one begins to wonder how well designed the PD Sling actually is.

The Maglatch isn't an issue. The flap for that compartment is so large that it would be VERY obvious if someone were trying to get into it. And it's up high on the bag, making it even more obvious if someone were trying to get in. Overall, it's a three step process you have to do. First you have to unfasten the Maglatch (which has to be done is a specific way for it to detach; you can't just yank at it). Secondly, you have to lift the flap all the way up. It's a stiff flap, stays very rigid. It practically lifts up like the trunk door of your car. Then once the flap is up, the fabric panel on which the metal attachment pieces are mounted needs to be pulled back to open up the bag. This whole process is very quick and easy to do in real life, but it's not something a pickpocket can do without being noticed. And like I said, it's up high on your back. The opening is at shoulder height. Not easy for a pickpocket to reach into.

I just got the messenger bag, and i love the maglatch. So many times I've been in a silent shooting situation and have to cough or something to cover the sound my the velcro going RRRRRIPPPPPP as I open the bag. What I like about the maglatch is that if you just put the flap down, the magnet holds very securely, And that's without the clasp. To engage the clasp, you have to pull down on it, and clasp it, and since it's spring-loaded, it's ultra-secure, and if anyone wanted to try to undo the clasp without you knowing, they'd have to tug on it pretty significantly. it'd probably wake you up if you fell asleep wearing the bag.

I purchased the Everyday Backpack 30L after reading so many postive review. After about two months of ownership I almost thing the most of thew reviewers have not been actually using the backpack.

I wasn't fast enough to write my own review, so to summarize my opinion: There are nice features(as with bags from other manufacturers - I had a few. But there are also serious issues, which are not that common.

Obvious pluses: Nice design; huge (!) + exapandable as needed; you can put tripod AND water bottle on sides and still use the bag easily and get inside; various attachment hooks around the bag exterior; side handles; and a few more

Minuses, the first ones mentioned basically in no review:- It is heavier then specified. The 30L version should be 1542 g, but is about 1950 g. Peak Design knows about this (!) as is clear from the comments on their Kickstarter project from Januray 6th. Still not updated though...

- The straps are loosening by themseves if you are taking the bag off your shoulder or rotating it (to get your equipment) from the side. Same for the tripod strap. I have to sew my own one to hold the tripod.

- The dividers create "shelves" of weird sizes. For example, you cannot have 70-200/2.8 WITHOUT tripod ring... it would travel inside its shelf there and back again all the time.

- FlexFolds are not configurable very much. And if you want to put a small lens further from the side opening, it is very hard to put it there. You would need to use the opposite side opening.

- The sides of the bag are slanted, the bag is less wide than it appears. The older Kata 3-in-1 can hold even 5D + 2x extender + 70-200/2.8 (so so). The Everyday Backpack is full without the extender. Though the mentioned combo can be stored vertically with some compromises.

I have the 30L. Most of the points made pro and con in the review and comments are fair.

For me, this bag allows me to pack my entire set of camera gear (FF + 2 large zooms and 4 primes, plus flash and accessories), into a travel bag that also lets me access the things I want to have on a long plane trip. Once I get to the hotel, the bag stays in a corner, and I use my Peak Sling. I can't for the life of me imagine actually wanting to walk around with this thing all day long. Don't get me wrong - its very sturdy and comfortable. I'm 5' 6', and found the straps perfect. But, it's overkill unless you need to walk around with all your gear all the time.

As noted, you will not find accessing that gear super convenient, but with practice, you figure out which "side" of the bag you want to keep your most-needed items. It slings very neatly over the pull-up handle of a rolling suitcase.

I wish the bag closed more securely at top - I don't think it'd be good in sandy conditions.

"I can’t imagine that there has ever been a time when photographers had more camera bag options than we do today."

Must admit I'm looking for a mid-size backpack but struggling to find what meets my needs. This 20L looks interesting...but reading the comments, some not too keen on the dividers, which is the thing thats putting me off.

20l isn't a good camera bag (my kata 321 is about the same size and does better), it is more of a hybrid to take to work and maybe one camera and lens. I got over 5 camera bags (more other backpack too) nothing perfect, but this is the best looking backpack for multipurpose. I see a few people taking this to work working downtown office area, very professional business/corporate looking.

I have the bag, and have used it for several trips. Here are my comments: You can pack a lot of stuff in the bag, but it's not that convenient for shooting with a full bag (so some stuff stays in the hotel.) I typically use an X-T2 and 2-3 lenses, and that works OK. The pack has become more comfortable with use, and to me, the shoulder straps are fine. The pack is very waterproof, and doesn't need a cover (it has waterproof zippers). For travel, I like that I can use it as a sling bag, so I never have to put the bag down to extract my gear. The bag is also comfortable for travel.

I've got the 20L backpack and enjoy it quite a bit. I think it works well as just a regular backpack even if you aren't carrying camera gear. Opening from the side makes it much easier to get to things rather than one deep compartment. When I'm on travel without my gear it's great, the dividers work as well for small garments as they do for bodies and lenses. I'll admit, at $250 it's overpriced by about $50-75 but I've been happy with it so far.

I used it (20L) recently for a 3 week tour in Asia. I treated it like a daypack. I carried a mirrorless body and two lenses on the bottom 'shelf.' The top shelves were for daily essentials: sunglasses, wipes, passport case, hat, jacket, etc. The top zipper pocket was for small items: pen, wallet, chapstick, etc. It worked very well, mostly. The chest strap is essential for stability and agree about the unwieldy design. I never used the waist strap. Yes, shoulder straps need more padding. Yes, the bag is too heavy. Rain showers were a non-issue. I give the bag a B+ overall. For me, knowing exactly where to quickly find items in the bag outweighs the bag's negatives. I've traveled for years with 'throw it all in one hole' bags. This time was very different.

Hi @sbowen, I'm looking to buy a 30l everyday backpack, but I often go outside when it's raining a lot, and I wonder if when the bag is full the rain will go in the backpack op the top as the flap cover doesn't cover it all.

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